Tennessee Titans tight end Craig Stevens planning to retire

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee Titans tight end Craig Stevens is retiring at the age of 31.

The Titans announced Tuesday that Stevens informed the team he would file retirement paperwork with the NFL.

''Craig is a consummate pro,'' coach Mike Mularkey said in a news release. ''I have enjoyed working with him as a position coach and as a head coach, and he was someone who could always be counted on. He worked at his craft and was always accountable for his play. The qualities we use to describe players here - tough, dependable, team-first - those are the qualities Craig had as a player.''

Stevens spent his entire eight-year NFL career with the Titans, who drafted him in the third round out of California in 2008.

Stevens had 12 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns last season while receiving the Ed Block Courage Award from teammates after overcoming a serious leg injury he'd suffered in 2014.

He posted career totals of 60 receptions for 724 yards and six touchdowns. Stevens also had 25 special-teams tackles during his first two NFL seasons.

Mularkey said there has been ''an ongoing discussion with Craig'' about his plans for the future. Mularkey said the team wants to give him time to decide what is best for him and his family.

''We are proud to call him a Titan, and he is always welcome around this team,'' Mularkey said. ''We wish him and his family the best in his next chapter of life.''